Writing Without Limits: Elyse Draper on AI, Accessibility, and Publishing Diverse Voices | Blind Level Tech

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes shifts the focus from gaming to the world of writing with guest Elyse Draper. Elyse shares her journey as a professional writer with over 25 years of experience, spanning nonfiction, satire, and speculative fiction, as well as her work as CMO of iPub Cloud International. She discusses accessibility in publishing, her rare eye condition, and the tools she uses—ranging from iPad-based apps to JAWS and speech software.
The conversation dives deep into writing workflows, AI’s role in creativity, and the evolving publishing landscape. Elyse also highlights her initiatives: Sprabeld, an AI platform helping children with disabilities become protagonists in their own stories, and the VIMB Creatives Workshop, spotlighting blind and low-vision creators. The episode rounds out with a fun lightning round of “Trash or Tool” evaluating various writing and publishing tools, before closing with the Sandwich of the Week and Elyse’s invitation to explore her publishing projects.
Listeners will come away inspired to embrace both technology and creativity, and reminded that the only thing stopping them from writing is themselves.

Contact Info
Guest: Elyse Draper
Website: iPub Cloud International
VIMB Creatives Workshop: vinbcreativesworkshop.com
Search "Elyse Draper" online for books, articles, and resources

Aftersight Contact:
Email: feedback@aftersight.org
Phone: (720) 712-8856
Producer Credits:
Produced by Jonathan Price for Aftersight.
Show Credits
Host: Evan Starnes
Guest: Elyse Draper
Producer: Jonathan Price
An Aftersight Original Production

Chapter Markers
00:00 — Welcome to Blind Level Tech
01:05 — Elyse Draper’s audio selfie and writing background
03:45 — Vision loss journey and assistive tools for writing
06:40 — Workflow strategies and avoiding writer’s block
08:50 — AI in writing: Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini
12:10 — Architect vs. Gardener writing approaches
15:00 — Publishing workflows and editing advice
19:40 — Distribution platforms: Kindle, Ingram, Draft2Digital
22:40 — Accessibility in EPUBs and alt text for images
25:10 — Lightning Round: Trash or Tool
27:40 — AI narration vs. human narration in audiobooks
32:00 — Blind community leading in AI adoption
34:30 — Sandwich of the Week
36:40 — Elyse’s publishing company and VIMB Creatives Workshop
38:20 — Closing thoughts and next steps